Several months after Russia closed its doors to various Moldovan fresh produce items, authorities have published a list of companies now allowed to export their apples.

Russia's Federal Agency for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision (Rosselkhoznadzor) had been in talks with Moldovan officials with view to resuming shipments, and published a statement on Wednesday (Feb. 25) listing various exporters who were now allowed to send their apples to Russia.

The companies eligible for export as of yesterday (Feb. 26) are Ungureanca, Prima-Nicatim, Plaiul Barladean, Scutaru Victor, Grimafruct, Bona-Fruct, Bucuria-Saturn, Agrodenidan, Agrostar, Unit-Olimp, as well as some companies from the breakaway state of Transnistria.

Rosselkhoznadzor said the first shipments would be part of a trial and subject to strict phytosanitary protocols. It added that imports would be banned if its requirements were not followed.

Russia banned imports of some Moldovan fresh produce items in July last year - ahead of the Europe-wide embargo - citing detections of the oriental fruit moth (Grapholita molesta Busck).

Elsewhere in the food industry, Russian authorities also imposed a ban on Polish cheese on Feb. 20, claiming the product had broken food safety rules.

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